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Many shoppers look for ways to stretch their grocery budgets by picking up snacks and drinks at local discount stores. If you rely on food assistance programs, you are likely wondering, does 5 below take ebt? Currently, the popular retailer does not accept SNAP benefits at any location.
Key Takeaways:
- Five Below does not accept Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards in-store or online.
- The retailer does not meet the federal stocking requirements to operate as an approved grocery vendor.
- While Five Below sells candy and drinks, accessory foods alone do not qualify a business for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- Alternative discount stores, including Dollar Tree and Dollar General, do accept food stamps for eligible pantry items.
Store Payment Policies and SNAP Benefits
When planning a trip for Five Below snacks and drinks, you must bring an alternative payment method. The company currently accepts credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, and cash. You cannot swipe an EBT card at the register or enter your card details for online orders.
The company has not integrated benefit processing into its point-of-sale systems. Because they are primarily a novelty and electronics retailer, upgrading their infrastructure to support government food assistance is not part of their current business model. If you want to use your food stamps at a similar department chain, review how using EBT benefits at Target works for everyday purchases.
Why Five Below Lacks Federal Retailer Approval
To accept food stamps, a retail location must apply and receive authorization from the federal government. The USDA SNAP retailer qualification criteria dictate that a store must sell a significant variety of staple foods on a continuous basis. Staple foods include meats, dairy, bread, and fresh produce.
While Five Below sells candy, chips, and bottled beverages, these fall under the category of accessory foods. Because their primary inventory consists of toys, clothing, room decor, and electronics, they fail to meet the minimum stocking criteria. Consequently, they cannot become an authorized Food and Nutrition Service vendor.
EBT-Eligible Food Items You Must Buy Elsewhere
Even if a discount store sells food, strict rules govern what you can and cannot buy with your benefits. At approved grocery locations, you can purchase ingredients meant to be prepared and eaten at home. Many shoppers are surprised by what qualifies at big-box stores, such as these unexpected items you can buy with EBT at Walmart.
Standard eligible food items include:
- Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt
- Breads, cereals, and grains
- Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
- Seeds and plants that produce food for the household
You can never use an EBT card to buy non-food items like pet food, vitamins, cleaning supplies, or cosmetics. Hot foods meant to be eaten immediately in the store are also strictly prohibited under federal regulations. To review the complete federal parameters, read the official guidelines on EBT-eligible food items directly from the USDA.
Discount Store EBT Policies Compared
Since you cannot use your benefits at Five Below, you must visit other budget-friendly retailers to buy groceries. If you need low-cost pantry staples, consider learning about grocery shopping with EBT at Aldi to maximize your food assistance card.
| Discount Store Chain | Accepts EBT In-Store? | Accepts EBT Online? | Primary Food Inventory |
| Five Below | No | No | Candy, accessory snacks, beverages |
| Dollar Tree | Yes | No | Canned goods, frozen meals, basic snacks |
| Family Dollar | Yes | No | Pantry staples, dairy, frozen foods |
| Dollar General | Yes | No | Fresh produce (select stores), pantry staples |
Steps to Locate Approved SNAP Retailers
Finding a store that accepts your benefits takes only a few minutes. You can verify a store's authorized status before leaving home to avoid payment issues at the checkout counter. Follow these exact steps to locate participating grocery stores and discount centers in your immediate area.
- Visit the official USDA Food and Nutrition Service website.
- Access the federal SNAP Retailer Locator mapping tool.
- Enter your current street address, city, or zip code into the provided search bar.
- Review the generated map to find participating stores near your location.
- Click on individual map pins to view the exact store name, address, and routing directions.
Checking the official database ensures you only visit stores that legally process assistance transactions. Once you arrive at a verified location, you can also look for the official "We Welcome SNAP EBT" decal displayed on the front doors or windows of the building.
Frequently asked questions
Does Five Below accept Medicare OTC or Healthy Benefits cards for pharmacy items?
Five Below does not accept Over-The-Counter Network or Healthy Benefits Plus cards as valid forms of payment. Although the discount retailer sells a small selection of first-aid supplies and vitamins, they are not integrated into the restricted national health plan processing systems required for these specific supplemental medical allowances.
Can you buy a Five Below gift card using SNAP benefits at an approved grocery store?
You cannot use your food assistance benefits to purchase any retail gift cards at authorized grocery checkout counters. Federal regulations classify all gift cards as cash equivalents rather than eligible food items, meaning store registers will automatically decline the assistance card if a Five Below gift card is scanned.
Can shoppers use WIC vouchers for infant and toddler items at Five Below?
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children cannot be used at this retailer. WIC requires authorized vendors to stock specific prescribed nutritional items like infant formula, specialized cereals, and approved dairy products, which fall outside of this discount chain's standard accessory snack and novelty inventory.
How can families secure alternative cash to shop at discount stores that reject EBT?
Shoppers can search state treasury databases for unclaimed funds to recover missing cash that can be spent at any retailer without restrictions. Since National Relief Program operates strictly as an informational directory, we recommend directly checking official state controller websites to locate and claim these unrestricted financial assets.
Sources
This guide links to the following outside sources. If a source and this page ever disagree, follow the source, and confirm details with the agency that runs the program.
- USDA SNAP retailer qualification criteria fns.usda.gov
- guidelines on EBT-eligible food items fns.usda.gov
Before you apply: program rules, amounts, and deadlines change. Always confirm details with the official agency or program administrator. Applying for government benefits is free.
National Relief Program is an independent guide, not a government agency. Spotted an error? Email support@nationalreliefprogram.org.
